Applicable from 28 July 2023, this Marine Guidance Note explains the new legal requirement for cargo ships that are 24m or more in length and less than 500GT to be fitted with bilge water level detectors and alarms. This mandatory requirement has been introduced following several incidents in which ships have become flooded due to an undetected ingress of water occurring in bilge spaces and implements a recommendation of the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) following the flooding and sinking of a grab hopper dredger Abigail H. The fitting of bilge alarms in the prescribed manner is intended to improve the safety of affected ships, their crews and the marine environments in which they operate. Continue reading “MGN 651 (M) Bilge alarms on cargo ships”
Government
UN adopts the historic new BBNJ agreement
On 19 June, the United Nations (UN) adopted the new oceans treaty on sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ). The UN’s 193 Member States adopted a landmark legally binding marine biodiversity agreement following nearly two decades of fierce negotiations over forging a common wave of conservation and sustainability in the high seas beyond national boundaries covering two-thirds of the planet’s oceans. Continue reading “UN adopts the historic new BBNJ agreement”
Angry response voiced at Seawork over proposed new MCA Workboat Code 3
Anger erupted and spilled over at the MCAs handling of the proposed new MCA Workboat Code 3 at the Seawork conference. Accusations were made that the MCA (Maritime & Coastguard Agency) is not communicating new coding regulations that could have disastrous consequences for small workboats.
There was standing room only at the UK’s Maritime & Coastguard Authority Workboat Code 3 update presentation at Seawork as the Workboat Association teetered close to expressing a vote of no confidence in the UK’s statutory body. Something of a showdown with Continue reading “Angry response voiced at Seawork over proposed new MCA Workboat Code 3”
USCG PSC Report 2022: 63 ships detained for environmental protection, safety, and security deficiencies
The US Coast Guard’s Office of Commercial Vessel Compliance has published the U.S. Port State Control Annual Report for 2022. USCG reported that the total number of ships detained in 2022 for environmental protection, safety, and security related deficiencies increased from 63 to 78.
The main findings:
– In 2022, the Coast Guard conducted 8,706 SOLAS safety exams with a total of 78 detentions. Continue reading “USCG PSC Report 2022: 63 ships detained for environmental protection, safety, and security deficiencies”
BV issues rules for the classification of harbour equipment
This Rule Note gives the requirements for construction and classification of harbour equipment intended to be operated as floating dock, floating bridge, floating door and other storage or working unit floating in smooth stretches of waters. NR612 is to be applied for structural elements of the hull and for components of the machinery and electrical installations of harbour equipment.
Main changes in NR612 – Rules for the classification of Harbour Equipment
In general
1. Harmonisation of Rules’ content, structure, wording and terminology with NR217 Rules for
the classification of inland vessels.
2. Extension of Rules application to hull materials other than steel: aluminium (A), composite
(C), wood (W) and concrete (CR).
Classification and Surveys – PART A
1. Implementation of a new service notation “Floating plant” together with related additional
service features defining the plant type
2. Implementation of new additional service features for units: Continue reading “BV issues rules for the classification of harbour equipment”
AMSA published its Compliance Strategy 2023/27
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has published its Compliance Strategy 2023/27. It builds on the modern regulatory foundations laid out in its predecessor and sets out six key elements. It is a data-driven, risk-based and proportionate approach to compliance that minimises impact on industry while maximising safety and environmental outcomes.
On a practical level, the strategy is implemented through AMSA’s annual National Compliance Plans which detail specific inspection and education focus areas for a given 12-month period. AMSA Executive Director of Operations, Michael Drake, Continue reading “AMSA published its Compliance Strategy 2023/27”
Smooth Sea 22 was not the ship it claimed to be
When Thai-flagged oil products tanker Smooth Sea 22 (IMO 9870991) suffered an explosion and a subsequent fire on 17th January, few realised that the event would expose a case of potential ship-identity fraud.
On January 24th the International Maritime Organization was reported to have declared the ship’s IMO number to be non-valid after it emerged that the ship that was masquerading as 2018-built ship was in fact built in 1986 and was suspected of previously being known as the 4,4821 gt Hai Zhou 168 (IMO 8514045), and before that as the Smooth Sea 28. Continue reading “Smooth Sea 22 was not the ship it claimed to be”
New law will improve DUKW boats’ safety, says NTSB chair
National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Chair, Jennifer Homendy, has welcomed maritime safety improvements in the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023, which the President signed into law at the end of last year. The legislation advances NTSB recommendations for amphibious vessels known as DUKW boats and requires the U.S. Coast Guard to provide an initial response to new NTSB recommendations within 90 days.
“We applaud lawmakers for their bold action to improve DUKW boat safety, something the NTSB has been concerned about Continue reading “New law will improve DUKW boats’ safety, says NTSB chair”
Future of the UK waterways debated in Parliament
The House of Commons parliamentary debate opened with Michael Fabricant MP setting out the unique contribution the waterways make from the economic impact through to the huge social and environmental benefits to society. The debate heard how the outcome of the UK Government’s review of the funding contract beyond 2027 is awaited. The current grant is fixed until 2027 and is declining both in real terms and as a proportion of total income. MPs spoke about how, with the increased threat from climate change events not envisaged in 2012, expenditure is increasing on the core national infrastructure. Continue reading “Future of the UK waterways debated in Parliament”
New report values benefits of UK waterways
The UK All Party Parliamentary Group for Waterways has published a headline report setting out the economic and social value of its 250-year-old waterway network.
Presenting the report to MPs, chief executive, Richard Parry, announced that the combined annual economic and social value of the waterways amounts to £6.1 billion. This includes £1.5 billion annual economic value from water-based tourism and jobs, and annual social value of £4.6 billion, which includes £1.1 billion cost saving to the NHS from active use of the waterways and the towpaths. Continue reading “New report values benefits of UK waterways”
AMSA: Effective vessel maintenance can prevent machine failures
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has published a Maritime Safety Awareness Bulletin to highlight that a lack of planned maintenance can have a significant impact on the safety of the vessel, the people, and the marine environment.
Maintenance related issues do not always receive the attention they deserve, as these are often difficult to detect and can be regarded as entirely technical matters, unrelated to safety and pollution prevention. As a result, maintenance matters may not be reported or addressed Continue reading “AMSA: Effective vessel maintenance can prevent machine failures”
Two new ISOs set to be added to the list of designated standards to the Recreational Craft Regulations
The Department of Business Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has published an update to the list of designated standards to the RCR (Recreational Craft Regulations). It has stated its intentions to add the following two ISO standards to the list of designated standards to the Recreational Craft Regulations (RCR).
They are:
– EN ISO 8666:2020/A11:2021 – Small craft – Principal data Continue reading “Two new ISOs set to be added to the list of designated standards to the Recreational Craft Regulations”